Hong Kong: Aberdeen Fishing Village Boat Tour & Sampan Noodles

Summary

Float through Aberdeen’s fishing village life, taste boat noodles, hear old stories and see houseboats up close

You’ll float through Hong Kong’s Aberdeen Fishing Village on a traditional teak boat, pass legendary floating restaurants, step inside a real houseboat museum, and taste freshly made sampan noodles right on the water. Expect salty air, honest stories from locals, and glimpses of daily life you won’t forget soon.

What’s the experience like?

“You ever try eating noodles on a rocking boat?” That’s what our guide, Mrs. Chan, asked right before she handed me a steaming bowl. I nearly dropped my chopsticks when the sampan bobbed — she just laughed and told me to keep my knees loose. The air in Aberdeen Harbour was thick with sea salt and that faint diesel smell from passing boats. We glided past clusters of old wooden junks, their paint peeling but still bright red and green against the grey water. It felt like we’d slipped sideways into another time — except for the neon sign on the Tai Pak Floating Restaurant blinking at us like it knew all our secrets.

The tour started at Aberdeen Fisherman’s Wharf, which is less glitzy than it sounds (in a good way). There was this old-timer mending nets by the pier who nodded at us — not unfriendly, just busy. Onboard the teak sightseeing boat, they handed out little audio guides in whatever language you wanted. I half-listened while watching cormorants dive for fish; sometimes the city skyline peeked through gaps between boats and it hit me how close all these worlds are here. We stopped in front of Tai Pak for photos — I tried to get one without tourists in it but gave up and just grinned with everyone else.

I didn’t expect to feel much inside the Aberdeen Houseboat museum, but there was this battered kettle on display that looked exactly like my grandma’s. The guide explained how whole families lived on these boats — cooking, sleeping, even celebrating festivals right there on the water. There were neon lights for selfies (which I skipped), but honestly I liked peeking into tiny bunks more than any Instagram spot. Lunch was simple: boat noodles with fish broth so fresh you could taste yesterday’s catch, plus something sweet called sachima that stuck to my teeth for hours after.

We ended back at Pier6 where some kids were trying dragon boat paddling (and mostly splashing each other). I lingered by the souvenir shop but didn’t buy anything — just watched an old woman haggle over dried shrimp and thought about how many layers this place has. Even now I can still hear that low hum of engines mixed with Cantonese chatter whenever I think about Aberdeen Fishing Village.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Aberdeen Fishing Village boat tour

• Check in at Aberdeen Fisherman's Wharf
• Take 20-minute teak boat ride
• Listen to multilingual audio guide
• View Tai Pak Floating Restaurant
• Visit Aberdeen Houseboat museum
• Enjoy Sampan Boat Noodles (lunch option)
• Explore Floating Museum and fishing centre

Top questions

How long does the Aberdeen Fishing Village boat tour last?

The sightseeing boat ride lasts about 20 minutes as part of the overall experience.

Are meals included in the Hong Kong Fisherman’s Wharf tour?

Depending on your package, you may get freshly prepared sampan boat noodles or a seafood meal for lunch or dinner.

Is there an English-speaking guide on this tour?

You receive a multilingual audio guide (English included) during the boat ride; staff also speak English at key stops.

Where does the tour start and end?

The tour starts and ends at Aberdeen Fisherman's Wharf in Hong Kong.

Can you visit inside a real houseboat during this experience?

Yes, you’ll visit Aberdeen Houseboat—a floating museum showing how fisherfolk families lived.

Is public transportation available to reach Aberdeen Fisherman’s Wharf?

Yes, public transportation options are available nearby for easy access to the wharf.

Are children allowed on this fishing village boat tour?

The tour is suitable for all ages; infants must sit on an adult’s lap during the ride.

What’s included

Your day includes admission to Aberdeen Houseboat floating museum (depending on your chosen package), a 20-minute sightseeing cruise with multilingual audio commentary around Aberdeen Harbour, plus freshly cooked sampan boat noodles or seafood lunch if selected—alongside drinks and sachima sweets before returning to shore at Pier6.